DENTON — Few places in North Texas are as pristine as the Denton Greenbelt, just east of town on Highway 380.
"I would describe this area as one of the few natural preserves in Denton," said Ty West, who enjoys canoeing along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River inside the greenbelt.
It's also what makes others, like Linda Campbell, so defensive of it.
"We've got to quit tearing up what Mother Nature has given us," she said.
Oncor is considering bisecting the greenbelt by erecting two 20-story lattice transmission towers on the edge of the park and then draping large electric lines across it. The project is part of the utility's $1.3 billion project to pipe in power from West Texas wind farms.
"There are not that many greenbelts left; especially 1,500 acres of it," Campbell said.
She gave up 60 acres to the Army Corps of Engineers to create the Denton Greenbelt 15 years ago.
Richard Rogers lost 154 acres.
"The whole thing was created to preserve the natural beauty and the rural nature," Rogers said. "A 20-story tower right next to this greenbelt? You can see that in town."
Texas Parks and Wildlife also discourages the lines over the park, worrying it could impact visitation and use.
Opponents want the lines to go north of Lake Ray Roberts, in a less populated area.
Oncor told News 8 it encourages public participation and has not yet decided which route it prefers, but will provide one along with an alternative to the Public Utility Commission in Austin on September 8.
Tuesday night, before a crowded house of more than 100 people, Denton County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing the utility slicing through the Greenbelt as well.
Opponents said Sanger, Aubrey, and Pilot Point have passed similar resolutions, and the City of Denton is expected to consider one at its next meeting.
Still, the Corps — which gets final say — hasn't made a decision yet on whether draping power lines over an untouched park will damage one of Denton's natural gems.
Email: jwhitely@wfaa.com
